Cork-extractor



'(No Model.)

0. P. PHILLIPS.

CORK EXTRAGTOR.

No. 601,380; Patented Mara 29, 1898;

NITE TATES ATENT muss;

CHARLES F. PHILLIPS, OF LOS-ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CORK:- EXTRACTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,380, dated March29, 1898.

Application filed July 26, 1897- adapted for extracting corks uninjuredfrom' the necks of bottles, &c.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved cork-extractor ofsuperior efficiency and of that class which is adapted to be applied topocket-knives in the nature of an ordinary knife-blade and to soconstruct such extractor that it may be applied to withdraw a cork fromthe neck of a bottle without injury to the cork and without allowing gasor liquid to escape from the bottle before the complete withdrawal ofthe cork from the bottle.

This invention relates to that class of cork extractors or pullers whichare provided with a blade adapted to be inserted between the neck of thebottle and the cork therein and which are provided with teeth or othermeans for engaging the cork to withdraw it from the bottle and which areadapted to be turned after being inserted, so that in being withdrawnthe teeth do not return along the path through which they entered, andin which appliance the inserted teeth when being with: drawn engageportions of the cork which have not been pressed out of the way when theblade is inserted.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved cork-extractor ofthe specified class which will be easier to use, will require less skillto use, and will be more positive in action than those heretofore known.

7 It is an object of my invention to provide a cork-extractor which isadapted to be very easily and conveniently inserted between the neck ofthe bottle and the cork therein and then be operated to withdraw thecork from the neck of the bottle without injuring the cork and withoutallowing gas or liquids to escape from the bottle before the completewithdrawal of the cork; also, to provide an extractor of the specifiedclass which is not liable to break the neck of the bottle.

The blade of 'my cork-extractor is adapted Serial No. 646,031. (Nomodel.)

to be applied to either a rigid handle or to pocket-knives in the natureof an ordinary blade.

One of the difficulties to be overcome with cork-extractors of the namedclass is the liability of breaking the neck of the bottle by reason ofthe sudden strain or leverage exerted when the blade is turned to catchthe cork. The cork usually presses tightly in the neck of the bottle,near the top thereof, and when the blade of the former cork-extractorsof the named class is turned to force the corkengaging devices into thecork or to bring them into position to engage the cork the out wardpressure thus exerted against the neck of the bottle is often such as tobreak theneck near the mouth of the bottle. One object of my inventionis to avoid this difficulty and yet provide large cork-engaging devicesfor engaging the side of the cork, as distinguished from its bottom,which will enter the cork sufficiently when the instrument is turned forthat purpose to cause the cork to be readily Withd rawn with theinstrument without any liability of tearing the cork.

My invention includes a cork extractor comprising a blade which issmooth upon one edge and provided upon the other edge with coarsecork-engaging teeth which project in the extended plane of the blade,and which blade is convex on one side and has its opposite side beveledtoward such convex side at the point. In the larger cork extractors theblade is preferably concavo-convex in cross-,

section, so as to conform to the cork and to be inside of thebottle-neck, and the coarse ratchet-shaped cork-engaging teeth projectin the extended plane of the blade and are arranged along its length andadapted to be forced into the cork by partial rotation of the bladeafter the blade has been inserted between the cork and the neck of thebottle, and the blade is beveled at its point from the concavo sidetoward the convex side thereof; but with the smaller size blades theconvex and concave forms may be dispensed with, the teeth increasing inlength from shank to point of the blade.

My invention includes the features described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

herein Figure l is a perspective view of one form of my improvedcork-extractor inserted into the'neck of a bottle and ready to be turnedto force the teeth into the cork which is in the bottle. The cork and afragment of the bot tle are shown. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of thecork-extractor shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 3,Fig. 2, and shows the concavo-convex form. Fig. 4 is a crosssection online 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view of another form in which my inventionis applied as a blade of a pocket-knife. This is shown in the act ofwithdrawing a cork from a bottle. In this form the blade is convex onone side and the end of the blade is beveled toward the convex side atthe point below the upper face of the last tooth. Said last tooth is onewith the point of the blade Fig. G'is an edge view of the form shown inFig. 5. Fig. 7 is a crosssection on line 7 7, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is anelevation of a cork-extractor composed of three blades in aknife-handle, a portion of which is broken away to show the bladesthereof arranged as cork extractors or pullers and one of said blades asbeing adjustable. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a portion ofthe knife-frame, showing the manner of mounting the adjustable bladetherein,

Similar characters of reference are employed .toindicate correspondingparts in the several views.

My improved cork-extractor, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive,comprises a blade A, provided along one edge from its shank a to its endwith a series of teeth a 04, having their points in a straight line,substantially, and the last of which teeth to" forms the end of theblade, said blade tapering in width uniformly from the point of saidlast tooth a" to the shank a and increasing in thickness uniformly fromthe point of said last tooth a to the shank a. The last tooth a" istapered, as at t, to form a pointed end for the blade, so that the bladein its general contour tapers in width in both direct-ions from thecork-engaging point of said end tooth a. The shank a is preferablyapproximately cylindrical in formand the back edge of the blade isrounded and devoid of projections from the shank to the end. of theblade, and the unnotched portion of the blade between the shank and theend tooth athat is to say, that portion or body of the blade from whichthe teeth projectis approximately of one width throughout its length,and the teeth taper in sizefrom the end toot-h a to the shank. It is tobe observed that the teeth gradually decrease in thickness and increasein width and length from the-shank to the end tooth a and that the endtooth decreases in both width and thickness from its cork; engagingpoint to the pointed end of such tooth that terminates the blade.

My improved cork-extractor blade is by the above-mentioned featuresadapted to be inserted between the wall 2 ofthe neck of the bottle andthe side of the cork 3 with great ease and is adapted when thus insertedto be easily turned to causethe teeth to en ter the cork, the longerteeth entering the less compressed portion 'of the cork and the shorterteeth the more compressed portion, as hereinafter specified. Preferablythe blade is to be turned by the operator before the end of the bladehas penetrated beyond the inner end of the cork, but it is to beobserved that the sides of the toothed blade converge toward thepoint'of the blade in the shape of a wedge and that in the otherdirection the unnotched portion from which the teeth project is ofuniform width, so that if the blade should be in serted past the cork byaccident it could still'be turned with but little danger of allowing theescape of the eifervescing liquid, because the part of such unnotchedportion of the blade which has last entered between the neck and thecork is ,so thick that it practically closes the opening which mightotherwise be made between the cork and the blade when the blade isturned. By this wedge shaped construction, in which the wedge extendsalong the whole row of teeth, a superior operation is obtained, theblade gradually forcing its entrance and compressing the cork by degreesaway from the neck of the bottle. The straight rounded back or edge ofthe blade opposite the teeth forms a superior fulcrum or pivot for theblade while .it is being turned.-

, As shown in Fig. 1, a cross-handle B is at- "tached to the blade;but-it will be understood P that any desired form of handle may be used.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8; and 9, the improved cork extractor or pullermay be easily and readily applied to a knife-handle inform of aknife-blade, and in this instance one or 'more of thesaid blades may beemployed, and

where a series are used they may be arranged in different sizes andproportionate dimensions to adapt them for use for different sizes ofcorks and insertion in varying sizes of bottie-necks. The teeth of theblade or shank may have the same construction in this instance as in theform previously set forth. A head ofthe said blade or shank, as at S, isextended on opposite sides to give sufficient purchase in the adjustableform of the extractor or puller and is supplied with trunnions 9, whichare fitted to slide in opposite inclined longitudinal slots 10, providedin the interior. frame or sides 11 of the knife-handle 12. The backspring 11 of this frame is arranged betweenthe slotted sides of theframe in the same manner in which the back spring in an ordinary knifeis arranged, so that its outer end isfree to yield. Near the inner endof the slots 10 this back spring is rigidly secured to said sides in thecustomary manner and serves, the purpose which will be explained later.Theouter end of each slot 10 is enlarged to form a trunnion-seat, inwhich seat the trunnions may freely turn when the blade is opened fromor closed into the handle. The

IIO

blade is provided with a square end adapted to seat against the backspring 11 when the blade is opened, as shown in Fig. 8, and when theblade is at the end of the handle and the trunnions are in thetrunnion-seats the blade may be readily closed, the back spring yield- Iing to permit this; but when the blade is trunnions near to the outerend of the slots,

where leverage upon the spring is sufficient to'allow the blade to beclosed against the action of the spring. In closing the device after usewhen the trunnions reach the enlarged end of the slots the back spring11 will cause the trunnions to enter the trunnionseats with a snap,which will disclose that the blade is in proper position to be closedinto the handle, The device is also in this instance pivoted and mountedsimilar to an ordinary knife' blade, as shown at the opposite ends ofthe handle 12, and thereby a number of the extractors or pullers can becarried in one device which will be adapted for light or heavy work, itbeing understood that when the adjustable blade is employed it will bemoved to a point at or about the center of the V handle, thus to provideacross-handle for the device. The adjustment of the blade relative tothe handle will be regulated by the length of the slots 10. In either ofthe constructions shown one side of the blade may be made convex and theother side concave, conforming, respectively, to the contour of the neckof the bottle as well as that of the cork. In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 one sideis flat and the other convex.

The blade is easily forced down between the neck of the bottle and thecork, and after being inserted in place the blade is turned so that theteeth are brought to bear against the cork. Vhere the concavo-convexconstruetion is employed, the blade is caused to-slip easily upon thewall of the neck of the bottle and gives a cam-like motion to the sameto force the teeth against or slightly into the cork with very slightexertion on the part of the operator.

It will be found that in using the extrac- .tor or puller it is usualand convenient for.

the operator to hold the bottle in the left hand and insert the bladebetween the cork and neck of the bottle upon the left-hand side of thebottle with the teeth of the blade turned from the operator, and thenbring the teeth to bear upon or in the corkby turning the blade towardthe right. In order to adapt the extractor for convenient use, the pointof the blade may be slightly beveled, as at L, from that side which isupon the right when the blade is held in an ordinary position with thepoint downward and its teeth turned from the eye of the operator, and bythe said arrangement the beveled side is naturally turned next to thecork, and when the extractor is used the point is brought close to thewall of the neck of the bottle and enters therebetween without engagingwith the cork. When the blade is turned to bring the teeth into oragainst the cork, the said teeth engage the full length of the cork andthereby insure the removal of the cork when the extractor is withdrawn,and there is no breaking of the neck of the bottle. The long teeth nearthe point enter fully into the less compressed portion of the cork andthe short teeth enter the more densely compressed portion of the corkand a perfect hold upon the cork is secured by which itis drawn outwithout injury to it. It will also be found in practice that when thecork is forced down into the bottle until it is nearly released fromthe. neck, so that it cannot be withdrawn by means of an ordinarycorkscrew, my im proved extractor or puller can be inserted Withoutdifficulty and the cork withdrawn intact.

In devices of this class as heretofore used an enlarged flattenedportion or projection at or near the point has been employed andarranged to be turned by the blade and brought beneath the cork toengage with the bottom of the said cork to thereby withdraw the latterfrom the bottle. With such a device it is necessary in extracting a corktoinsert the blade far enough in the neck of the bottle to free theenlarged portion of the blade below the cork, and it is impossible toturn the blade to cause it to engage the cork to withdraw it until thepoint of the blade enters the bottle below the cork, and then when theblade is turned to cause theenlarged portion to-engage with the bottomof the cork an opening is made alongside the blade between the cork andthe neck of the bottle, and if the bottle contains liquid of aneffervescent naturesuch as champagne, soda, &c.the gas and liquid willescape through such opening, which is highly objectionable. In thepresent device this objection is overcome, and although thecork-engaging teeth are ample the blade may be turned to cause the teethto engage the cork when the blade is only partially inserted, so as toleave a portion of the stopper below the point of the blade to avoidforming a passage through said cork which would allow the escape of thegas or liquid from the bottle before the cork is fully Withdrawn, andthereby the pressure of the gas is thus retained and caused to assist inthe withdrawal of the cork.

The point of the blade or shank is arranged in the center and in linewith the median plane or vertical axis of the said shank or blade. Bythis means injury to the cork by penetrating the latter is avoided andan easy and gradual entrance of the said point of the blade between thecork and the neck of the bot-tle is insured.

Each tooth above the end tooth is preferably beveled, as at 15, alongits lower edge 011 the cork-engaging face, so that the teeth will notroughen the cork when the blade is being inserted.

It is obviously apparent that many minor changes in the proportion,position, and construction of the several parts might be made andsubstituted for those shown and described without in the least departingfrom the nature or spirit of the invention.

Now, having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The cork-extractor set forth comprising a blade which is smooth uponone edge and provided upon the other edge with coarse cork-engagingteeth which project in the extended plane of the blade, and which bladeis convex on one side and has its opposite side beveled toward suchconvex side at the point.

2. The cork-extractor set forth comprising a blade concave-convex incross-section adapted to be inserted between the neck of the bottle andthe cork therein, and having one edge provided with coarseratchet-shaped corkengaging teeth which project in the extendedplane ofthe blade and are arranged along its length and adapted to be forcedinto the cork by partial rotation of the blade after the blade has beeninserted between the cork and the neck of the bottle; such blade beingbeveled the blade, said blade tapering in width uni-' forrnly from saidlast tooth to the shank.

4:. A cork-extractor comprising a blade having one edge straight fromshank to point and having the other edge provided from the shank to itsend with a series of teeth the last of which forms the end of the blade,and which teeth increase in size uniformly from said shank to the endtooth and have their points arranged, substantially, in a straight line,said blade tapering in width from said last tooth to said shank.

5. A corkextractor comprising a blade havin g one edge straight fromshank to point and having ,the other edge provided from the shank to itsend with a series of teeth having their points in a straight linesubstantially, and the last of which teeth forms the end of the blade,said blade tapering in width and increasing in thickness uniformly fromsaid last tooth to the shank.

6. A cork-extractor comprising a blade one edge of which is rounded anddevoid of projections and which blade is provided along its other edgefrom its shank to its end with a series of teeth having their points ina straight line, substantially, and the last of which teeth forms theend of the blade, said blade tapering in width uniformly from the pointof said last tooth to the shank.

7. A cork-extractor comprising-a blade having anapproximatelycylindrical shank and having one edge of the blade roundedand devoid of projections and having the other edge of the bladeprovided from the shankto the end of the blade with a series of teethhavingtheir points in a straight line, substantially, and the last ofwhich teeth forms the end of the blade, said blade tapering in width andincreasing in thickness uniformly from the point of said last tooth tothe cylindrical shank. I

8. Acork-extractorcomprisingablade having an approximately cylindricalshank and having one edge of the blade rounded and devoid of projectionsand having the other edge of the blade provided from its shank to itsend with a series of teeth having their points in a straightline,substantially, and the last of which teeth is tapered to form apointed end for the blade, said blade taperi'n gin width and increasingin thickness uniformly from the point of said last tooth to thecylindrical shank.

9. A cork-extractor comprising a handle having a back spring, and sidesprovided with longitudinal slots which are enlarged at one end, and ablade tapering in width and thickness in an inverse order having teethon one edge which gradually increase in length from the handle to thepenetrating point and having trunnions which travel in the said slotsand spring into the enlarged portions of the said slot, substantially asand for the purpose described.

10. The combination of the sides of the handle provided with thelongitudinal slots; the back spring rigidly secured between the sides ata point near the inner end of such slots and having its outer end free,and the blade provided with the square end arranged to seat against theback spring, and also provided with the trunnions arranged to slide inthe slots in the sides of the handle.

CHARLES F. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses JAMES R. TOWNSEND, ALFRED I. TOWVNSEND.

